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Durban - A second straight century by Heino Kuhn has carried the Titans to a five-wicket victory over the Dolphins at Kingsmead on Tuesday and a place in the One-Day Cup final against the Cape Cobras at Newlands on Friday.
Kuhn’s 102 from 117 deliveries anchored the Titans innings as they chased down 238 with nine balls to spare, giving them their fourth straight win on an incredible run that has taken them from the brink of elimination to a shot at the trophy.
Kuhn is now the leading run-scorer in the Momentum One-Day Cup this season by some distance, making his decision to give up the wicketkeeping gloves look increasingly wise.
Most impressive has been the 29-year-old’s ability to play to the situation - while his century on Friday against the Warriors was a powerful one as the Titans chased a bonus point, his knock on Tuesday showed plenty of composure as he hit just five fours and a six on his way to three figures.
The only criticism that could be levelled at him over the two games is that he has failed to see his side home, which in this instance exposed the less-experienced Titans middle-order to a well-established Dolphins pace attack.
However, with the asking rate below a run a ball, Graeme van Buuren (47 not out) and Mangaliso Mosehle held their nerve to give the Titans a fairly comfortable win.
While Kuhn was the standout individual, the Titans spinners deserved equal credit for turning the course of the game midway through the Dolphins innings.
The hosts had won the toss and elected to bat first and, although they suffered a small hiccup as CJ de Villiers (3 for 40) reduced them from 53 for none to 75 for three, Morne van Wyk and Cody Chetty looked in control as they rebuilt the innings.
However, Shaun von Berg (2 for 41) found some purchase to remove Chetty with a big turner and, after Van Wyk (48) hit Roelof van der Merwe straight to point, Von Berg struck again to get rid of Khaya Zondo.
With Robbie Frylinck not lasting long the Dolphins were soon in a tight spot at 146 for seven and, although Daryn Smit (53) and Kyle Abbott (43) dug in with a solid 84-run stand, the damage had already been done.
Both Smit and Abbott fell chasing late runs and the Dolphins were bowled out for 237 with two balls left unused - a total that was ultimately 15 or 20 runs short.
Kuhn’s 102 from 117 deliveries anchored the Titans innings as they chased down 238 with nine balls to spare, giving them their fourth straight win on an incredible run that has taken them from the brink of elimination to a shot at the trophy.
Kuhn is now the leading run-scorer in the Momentum One-Day Cup this season by some distance, making his decision to give up the wicketkeeping gloves look increasingly wise.
Most impressive has been the 29-year-old’s ability to play to the situation - while his century on Friday against the Warriors was a powerful one as the Titans chased a bonus point, his knock on Tuesday showed plenty of composure as he hit just five fours and a six on his way to three figures.
The only criticism that could be levelled at him over the two games is that he has failed to see his side home, which in this instance exposed the less-experienced Titans middle-order to a well-established Dolphins pace attack.
However, with the asking rate below a run a ball, Graeme van Buuren (47 not out) and Mangaliso Mosehle held their nerve to give the Titans a fairly comfortable win.
While Kuhn was the standout individual, the Titans spinners deserved equal credit for turning the course of the game midway through the Dolphins innings.
The hosts had won the toss and elected to bat first and, although they suffered a small hiccup as CJ de Villiers (3 for 40) reduced them from 53 for none to 75 for three, Morne van Wyk and Cody Chetty looked in control as they rebuilt the innings.
However, Shaun von Berg (2 for 41) found some purchase to remove Chetty with a big turner and, after Van Wyk (48) hit Roelof van der Merwe straight to point, Von Berg struck again to get rid of Khaya Zondo.
With Robbie Frylinck not lasting long the Dolphins were soon in a tight spot at 146 for seven and, although Daryn Smit (53) and Kyle Abbott (43) dug in with a solid 84-run stand, the damage had already been done.
Both Smit and Abbott fell chasing late runs and the Dolphins were bowled out for 237 with two balls left unused - a total that was ultimately 15 or 20 runs short.
